Yol. 26, No. 4 The Southern PATRIOT April, 1968

Published by the Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF), Louisville, Ky. Bat ground £to<8vfc* 0J?£ frt rn F o r Murder'CAc

>BERT ANALAVAGE

(Assistant Editor) MEMPHIS, Tenn.—This city, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated on April 4, has been living a lie— as all U.S. cities are living a lie. Memphis bills itself as “the City of Good Abode.” It crows about its integrated public accommodations and con- stantly reminds visitors that these were achieved without the necessity or “bother” of marches and demonstrations. But beyond window dressing, Memphis treats its black citizens with the same contempt that most of white America has for black people everywhere. The issue that brought Dr. King to town, posterity must never forget, was a simple strike by a group of garbage collectors who were not asking for civil rights, or housing in a white area, or human dignity. All they wanted was a decent wage for a disagree- able service they perform for the public. Dr. King came to town to focus attention on the strikers’ griev- ances, by leading another of those massive marches he has led in the past. YOUTHS ERUPT IN VIOLENCE and break into stores which they feel have been getting rich off black people for generations (photos by Ernest Withers). Disorder Erupts The march, never really well organized, went about five blocks before chaos and disorder erupted. A group of youths broke ranks Kentuckians and began breaking windows and running off with goods for which store owners had overcharged them for. years. Bring Suit to King immediately halted the march. He was whisked away by several local ministers. Abolish KUAC “He didn’t really have a choice,” the Rev. James L. Lawson told (By Staff Correspondent) the Patriot. “ We were the ones who decided to get him off the streets. FRANKFORT, Ky.—Many We feared for his safety.” Then, Mr. Lawson said, “we succeeded in groups and individuals are turning the main body of the march back to the church.” The young people, their numbers now about 300, engaged in joining a fight to stop the pitched battles with the police. The air was filled with flying bottles, Kentucky Un-American Ac- 'Tricks," ancFanythTn^el^That couId be thrbwn. Police" attacked The' youths with clubs and sprayed MACE, an anti-riot gas, and tear gas tivities Committee (KUAC) freely. Then the police turned these weapons on anyone with a black from operating. skin. Innocent by-standers, trying desperately to get out of their KUAC, which Kentuckians call way, were maced and beaten unmercifully. “ Quack,” was set up by the 1968 The marchers hurried back to Clayborn Temple and sought refuge inside. These were people who had not taken part in any of the General Assembly to investigate violence. Nevertheless, the police invaded the church, spraying the “subversive groups and persons.” people with tear gas pellets, and beating them with clubs. SCEF and its executive direc- “ They were like the gestapo,” Mr. Lawson said. tors, Anne and Carl Braden, were named as special targets, but Payne is Murdered other civil-rights and community Larry Payne, a 19-year-old suspected of looting, was ordered to organizations see the danger to come out of a building. He emerged with his hands up. According to all of them. a number of witnesses I spoke to, a policeman thrust a shotgun into Several have joined in a suit in the youth’s stomach and pulled the trigger. Payne died immediately. U.S. District Court to stop Gov. Several stores were burned and looted. There seemed to be a Louie B. Nunn from appointing pattern. The stores hit hardest were the pawn shops and easy-credit 10 members of the Assembly to merchants that prey on the economic miseries of the poor and under- serve on KUAC. paid. Businesses owned by William Loeb, the mayor’s brother, were Their suit charges that actions also badly damaged. Loeb, along with singer Pat Boone, owns about MARCH BEGINS, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on behalf of striking garbage workers. On April 16 an agreement was reached. It of the committee “will have a 65 establishments in the Memphis ghetto. chilling effect upon the exercise The city and the state responded to the outbreak with massive includes recognition of the union, checkoff of union dues through a credit union, and a 15<* an hour pay raise. International union officers of First Amendment freedoms, police force. The city was no longer a city, but a military war zone. including the right to dissent from A curfew was slapped on. Liquor stores were closed. Beale Street, advised the men to accept it—and, at an emotional strike meeting, they all rose to vote YES. the policies of local, state, and a symbol of black culture for the Deep South, was closed down. national governments.” Helicopters buzzed the ghetto, tanks and armored personnel cars The fight against KUAC began rolled through the streets. National Guardsmen with fixed bayonets, along with state troopers brandishing shotguns, and dogs patrolled. before the Kentucky House and Black people were caught in a web of fear and stayed off the streets. Senate voted on the resolution On King’ s Death setting it up. Those who ventured out regretted it. Beatings and intimidation Following is a statement by SCEF on the assassination of Rep. Norbert Blume, a leader in were frequent. The police arrested and charged anyone they took a Dr. Martin L. King Jr. in Memphis, Tenn., on April U: mind to. the Teamsters’ Union, led efforts James E. Swearengen, a black lawyer who defended many of those “It is not enough to mourn. White America must search its to kill the resolution in the House. arrested, told me that “Judges accepted testimony from police with- soul and understand why this happened. It might not have He told the House: “ This type of out question. People were jailed and then charged with ridiculous happened if all the people (including high U.S. officials) who thing has worked to the detri- crimes. In one instance, a Negro policeman arrested four youths for have been shouting about ‘crime in the streets’ and blaming black ment of labor groups seeking to a curfew violation. When they appeared in court the next day, they people for the crisis we face had been trying to stop the real organize against substandard were charged with disorderly conduct and breach of the peace. The crime in the streets—the crime of white racism. wages and it has worked against Negro policeman rose in court and asked: “ Who filed those charges? “As for us, we will intensify the work we have long been the civil-rights movement.” I didn’t.” The case was dismissed. doing:—reaching white people and helping them to find a way A determined fight was also Joseph Gray was one of many people beaten unjustly. He is a 25- out of the dead-end philosophy of racism. We rededicate our- carried on by Mrs. Georgia Davis year-old musician who has played with big-time groups such as selves to the goals for which Dr. King was working:—an end of Louisville, the first black Jimmy Taylor and Sam Cooke. to the war in Vietnam and the mobilization of our nation’s woman to serve in the Kentucky “ I have a little group and we had a gig over in Forest City, Ark. resources to serve the needs of its people.” Senate. During the closing hours But my organ player was sick and I went down to this club to see SCEF was represented at Dr. King’s funeral in Atlanta on of the Legislature, Mrs. Davis about getting another one. When I got to the club it was padlocked. April 9 by its president, the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth; his made a moving speech in which I turned around to leave and this cop came up and hit me. Then wife, Mrs. Ruby Shuttlesworth; its executive director, Carl she said: several more of them came and beat up on me and I fell to the ground. Braden, and several members of its board of directors. Mr. “ These committees always say They just left me there.” Shuttlesworth is also secretary of the Southern Christian Lead- that their purpose is to investi- Gray was taken to a hospital, where he received 45 stitches. When ership Conference (SCLC), of which Dr. King was president. gate for subversion and corn- continued on Page 5) (Continued on Page 5) 2 THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT The Month in Review: Campuses Explode Dr. King’s assassination and ism is slackening. the general turmoil that followed Three white men shot into the have hidden the fact that there back of a car in Wacissa, Fla., killing A. C. Huggins, 18; Curtis was a good deal of upheaval E. Harris, 23, a suspected bank across the South last month—on robber, was killed by pursuing the campus, by labor, in the jury- N.C. police; a black serviceman box. was shot to death in the Fayette- ville, N.C. bus terminal February * * * 17; Arthur Jones Hill died after he was shot in Charlotte, N.C. by Students took over administra- arresting police. tion buildings at Howard, Fayet- Draft convictions: Cleve Sellers teville State and Virginia Union; of SNCC (no sentence has yet they boycotted classes and picket- been set); Harold Foster, 26- “'The Crafts of Freedom 93 ed at Virginia State and Tuske- year-old Negro from Durham, NEW YORK, N.Y.— “ Liberty House” proclaims write to Liberty House, P.O. Box 3468, Jackson, gee. N. C., two and a half years. the sign swinging on a Bleecker Street storefront Miss. 39203) In most cases, administrators in New York’s Greenwich Village. Several stores across the country handle their closed down the schools, then Inside, the shop is stuffed to the seams with products and a new store will open May 26 at made concessions, but Tuskegee Brooks Bets “the crafts of freedom”—hand-made dolls from Broadway and 84th street in New York. Two more applied a drastic “ final solution” 4 Years for Appalachia, leather work and quilts from the black are planned in Cambridge, Mass, and Harlem. after students held 12 prominent belt, candles, toys, jewelry—anything poor people “ What we need now is to expand our market,” trustees prisoner for almost 13 Draft Refusal have been able to make to keep themselves and says Ellen Maslow, manager of the Bleecker Street hours. They sent everyone home By JAN PHILLIPS their movements alive. store. “We need people to open Liberty Houses in and told them to apply for read- NASHVILLE, Tenn. — White The store grew out of the need to find markets their own neighborhoods or to get local stores to mission, warning that all mili- power struck again on March 17 for products made in the co-operatives which de- carry our products. We need people with special tants will be screened out. when SNCC leader Fred Brooks veloped in Mississippi in 1965 with the help of skills in crafts to go to Mississippi to teach their Demonstrations over Dr. King’s was sentenced to four years in Jesse Morris and the Poor People’s Corporation. skills in co-ops, and people with sales and promo- death turned into clashes with prison for refusing induction. Today, some 150 former cotton-field workers, maids tion experience to help with that end.” police at Tennessee A&I in Nash- As in most draft cases, the and sharecroppers are self-employed in 13 Missis- Anyone wishing to help in any of these ways ville; A&T in Greensboro, N.C.; jury, made up of older “respect- sippi co-ops. can write to Liberty House in Jackson (see address Florida A&M; Shaw University able” folk, was carefully sheltered Crafts made in co-ops by Appalachian residents, above). In the New York area, call (212) 929-4192 in Raleigh, N.C. The first peace from the basic issue of the war Eskimos, American Indians, Mexicans, South or write Liberty House, 343 Bleecker Street. vigil ever was held at University in Vietnam. Evidence was over- Americans and Africans are also sold; as are * * * of Alabama, and 58 black students whelming that Brooks indeed had movement items like posters, records, newspapers. Anyone who comes into the two Liberty House there gave a list of grievances to refused to step forward. But the All profits from the store go to the Mississippi outlets in New York—at 343 Bleecker Street or the administration as 300 white court itself refused to step for- co-ops. 84th and Broadway—will be able to arrange for students cheered. ward and rule on the legality and The New York store is only one outlet. Sixty 10 per cent of the price of anything they buy, morality of killing poor people in per cent of their sales are made by mail, from the to be sent to any movement group they support. * * * Asia. main warehouse in Jackson (for a free catalogue, Remember SCEF. The Florida teachers’ strike Army officials made it clear in ended with 7,000 teachers debar- their testimony that Brooks re- ftooh Notes: red from their jobs. Birmingham fuses to kill on the orders of LBJ transit workers, mechanics and and the war profiteers. Carlton maintenance men on the Mobile, Petway summed up the govern- New Autobiography of Du Bois Ala. docks, and Duke University ment’s case by equating an order to report for induction with a No individual has emerged from “twisted and crippled” by the U. S. economy. non-academic employees all summons for jury duty. the Negro liberation struggle in trauma of race, what collective Bitter experience drove Du walked out. Packinghouse Work- the United States whose creative rankling must there not be among Bois to advocate policies which ers at the Swift Oil Refinery in Resplendent in a red, white and writings and organizational ac- black people confined to our urban clearly anticipate today’s concept Chattanooga, Tenn., have been blue tie, he went on, “The Consti- tution . . . provides this country tivities have had a greater semi- slums and ghettoes! of “ Black Power”—the conviction out since January 19 protesting shall maintain an army. They did nal influence than those of the As a social document, it defines that white America will only make pay cuts of 40 to 60 cents an this so this country could be free, late Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois. The the historic tension between major concessions as they are hour. publication of his “ Autobiogra- Tuskegee Institute and Atlanta compelled by organized economic * * * so it could protect itself to make it free and keep it free. So that phy” is a major literary event. University, resulting from the and political strength on the part you will be free, ladies and gen- (International Publishers, 381 policy of accommodation advo- of the black community. Southern whites’ ability to ter- tlemen of the jury, to drive from Park Ave. South, New York; 448 cated by Booker T. Washington Fascinating is the intellectual rorize black people with impunity your house to the United States pages; $10) and the activism of DuBois. It evolution of a Harvard-trained began to crumble. An all-white Courthouse. Because if you didn’t As a psychological study, it details the origin of the Niagara youthful idealist with infinite Mississippi jury convicted Cecil have the Army, you wouldn’t be presents the candid self-analysis Movement, out of which emerged faith in education through the Victor Sessum of murdering Ver- free.” of a gifted, sensitive human being the NAACP, and describes the brutal confrontation with ex- non Dahmer in 1966 and sentenced who spent a lifetime seeking to crushing consequences of the De- perience and the liberating in- him to life. Macon County, Ala. It was a tough act to follow. help white America comprehend pression, the beginnings of the sights of world travel into a Sheriff Lucius Amerson said he Forty minutes later the jury what it has meant for black peo- Pan-African Movement, and the mature and prophetic revolution- will prosecute two white lawmen returned with a guilty verdict. ple to “ live within the veil”—that call to black people to resist ary. People of color must look to charged with beating a black Attorney Reber Boult, Jr., who is, inside the world of exclusion colonialism in all its forms—in- something profoundly new and youth. was joined by lawyers from the based on color. cluding that internal colonialism creatively different. All white juries in Birmingham ACLU and NAACP, said he will If an individual of the calibre which imprisons the Afro-Ameri- Reading this “ Autobiography” freed Johnny Coleman in the 1961 appeal. of a Dr. Du Bois felt himself can within the structure of the slaying of a white gas attendant, will help white Americans to face When the establishment press, and James Huffman, charged with which spent a great deal of time the truth of history, and black killing a white automobile sales- reporting on Brooks’ attire, asked Americans—who are in the travail man in 1967. him for a comment he replied, The Southern Patriot of self-evaluation and re-direction Which is not to say that terror- “ Black Power!” —to find and fulfil themselves. Postmaster, send P.O.D. Form 3579 to: —W i l l i a m H o w a r d M e l i s h SOUTHERN CONFERENCE EDUCATIONAL FUND (SCEF) Southern Groups’ Statement on King 3210 West Broadway, Louisville, Ky. 40211 ATLANTA, Ga. — Representa- vide jobs, hospitals, schools, ade- tives of several Southern human quate housing and other basic The Southern Patriot is published once a month except in July by the Southern rights groups met here informal- necessities for poor people.” Conference Educational Fund (SCEF). Editorial and business offices. 3210 West Subscription Blank Broadway. Louisville, Ky. 40211; office of publication, 150 Tenth Ave. North, ly on the eve of the funeral of Signers include: Lawrence Guy- Nashville, Tenn. 37203; Eastern offices, Suite 412, 799 Broadway, New York, The Patriot is sent to all per- N.Y. 10003. Back issues from 1942 to date are available on microfilm from Serials Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They ot, Jr., Mississippi Freedom Dem- Section, University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106. Thirty sons who give $3 or more drafted a statement calling for ocratic Party; Rev. Fred Shuttles- cents a copy, $3 a year. Second-class postage paid at Nashville, Tenn. annually to the Southern Con- The Southern Conference was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to ending racism, an end to the persecution of Rap worth, Southern Conference Edu- poverty, and other injustices in the South; it opposes war as an instrument of ference Educational Fund. Brown and other militant leaders cational Fund; Floyd B. McKis- national policy. of the movement against war and sick, Congress of Racial Equality; Executive Committee; The Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, President; Bishop I enclose______, of which $3 Charles F. Golden, Jack Peebles, and Modjeska M. Simkins, Vice-Presidents; is for Patriot subscription. for black liberation, pointing out Stanley Wise, Student Nonviolent Clarice Campbell, Secretary; Dorcas Ruthenburg, Treasurer; and Rosalyn Laven- thal. Assistant Secretary. that Dr. King had called for an Coordinating Committee; Tom Executive Staff: Carl Braden, Executive Director; Anne Braden, Associate Name______end to Brown’s persecution in Gardner, Southern Student Or- Executive Director; the Rev. William Howard Melish and Miriam Nicholas, his last public statement. ganizing Committee; Myles Hor- Assistant Directors. Address______They said that: “ The President ton, Highlander Center; Owen Office Staff: Theresa Bridges, Mary Britting, Nessa Goatley, Catherine Grove, and John Grove. of the United States could pay Brooks, Delta Ministry; Dave City______Field Staff: Robert Analavage, Ella J. Baker, Suzanne Crowell, James A. no more fitting tribute to Dr. Dellinger, National Mobilization Dombrowski, Barbara Flynn, Nancy Hodes, George McAlister, Alan McSurely, Martin Luther King, lifetime Committee to End the War in Margaret McSurely, Jack Minnis, Karen Mulloy, Joseph Mulloy, Dorothy Zellner Zip Code______and Robert Zellner. disciple of nonviolence, than to Vietnam; Mike Spiegel, Students Eastern Representatives: Sandra Rosenblum and Carol Hanisch. SCEF end the war in Vietnam immedi- for a Democratic Society; Bobby 3210 W . Broadway ately. Instead of spending vast Seale, Black Panther Party; Dr. April, 1968 Vol. 26, No. 4 Louisville, Ky. 40211 resources on the war in Vietnam Benjamin Spock, and Dagmar the U.S. government must pro- Wilson. T H E SOUTHERN PATRIOT 3 Lowndes County Revisited Panther is Three Years Old By ROBERT ANALAVAGE HAYNEVILLE,Ala.— The Lowndes County Freedom Party (LCFP), which takes as its emblem a black panther, recently celebrated its third anniversary. The party also chose a new chairman, Frank Miles, who ran for tax assessor in the historic 1966 election. John Hulett, the former chair- $35,000 and will be constructed power structure. man, now works on a government- on the land where Tent City once Still, these programs only make funded program which is trying stood. People donate bricks and unbearable conditions bearable. to help people build low-cost cinder blocks as well as labor. They don’t change anything in housing. Many of the people in They are also buying shares in the lives of the people. Only Lowndes have become involved in the co-op, in amounts ranging political power can do that. one federal program or another. from $25 to $40. LCFP Candidates Will Run This makes sense, so long as The co-op will carry everything The LCFP is looking forward it doesn’t blunt the radical aim they need, from food to imple- to the November election, when of the party. That aim, still, is ments. they’ll again be running candi- to take power in the county, dates for offices, including the where black people make up 82 board of revenue and justice of per cent of the population. the peace. They still have a vot- “ Before we can do anything ing majority but, as people know here,” one woman said, “we have from the last election, this is no got to keep our people from guarantee for victory. leaving the county.” The white power structure has Exodus Ends not changed. Recently, it gerry- Mrs. Lillian McGill, who holds mandered Hayneville, the county seat, to exclude the black section, seats on various executive boards CO-CHAIRMEN OF FAIR ELECTIONS COMMITTEE, Oakey Spence even though they must pay taxes. in the county, said “We have and James Washington, Jr., hold one of the posters they used to show LCFP Chairman Miles sums dented the surface. The most im- their neighbors how to challenge fake voter registrations (photo by up the situation this way: portant thing is, we have been The Lowndes County Christian Suzanne Crowell). able to stem the exodus out of Movement, the non-political arm “Fear has fallen a lot, treat- the county. We’ve been able to of the movement here, still has a ment from whites is better, build homes for dozens of people $225,000 grant from the Office of more people own their own that might have left.” Economic Opportunity (OEO) to homes. We have regular meet- Mingo Residents Mrs. McGill reports that all teach basic educational subjects. ings in about five communities the people who were evicted for The people receive a stipend now, when it used to be a political acts (about 60) and ranging from $28 to $38. The problem getting a meeting in Fight Vote Fraud had to live in Tent City, now program, which used to involve one. By SUZANNE CROWELL have homes. 100 people, has had to cut back “As for those federal programs WILLIAMSON, W. Va.— “ There isn't enough space in “Everybody got together and to 75 as a result of congressional —they’re good to a point. They the Mingo County jails to hold the people willing to fight pitched in and we built them cuts in the War on Poverty. help us. They provide some relief. houses,” she says. There are other programs. But they also harm us. Once a for fair elections,’' said Oakey Spence. In this spirit, the The party is also trying to The Head Start is run by the person gets into the poverty pro- Mingo County Fair Elections Committee is attacking prevent the kind of economic power structure. A medical gram, he ain’t interested in the registration lists which are 137% of the census popula- coercion that people experienced program is being sent into the freedom party. But people got tion. in the last election, when they county, now that the Medical to have something. You can’t ex- It all started last August at a Poor Peoples’ Conference at lost their credit at white-owned Committee for Human Rights pect them to live on slogans. Athens, West Va., when James Washington heard about ways to stores. has revealed widespread hunger “We keep on pushing. That’s combat the massive voter frauds which had made Mingo County The Lowndes County Co-op is and malnutrition in Lowndes. all. And someday we’ll control elections a meaningless exercise. He helped to set up a county putting up a building. It will cost This, too, will be run by the this county.” committee, and worked on the issue during the fall and winter. He was joined by Oakey Spence, a fellow citizen, and they began to Years and $ Fine hold district meetings all over the county. 5 1 0 ,0 0 0 By the time they were getting other people involved in the issue, they had become unrivalled experts on election law. They learned that any voter could challenge the registration of another Malloy, Pratt are Convicted citizen if he had cause to believe that citizen was no longer properly (By Staff Correspondent) qualified. Of the 25,566 people on the rolls in 1960, only 19,576 could LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Joe Mulloy and Don Pratt went to jail April 8 for refusing to kill. They were have been residents according to the West Virginia Elections given 5-year prison terms and fined $10,000 each. They were unable to post the $12,000 bail bond set by Almanac. U.S. District Judge James Gordon. With the aid of posters showing how to challenge registrations, A jury of people over 40 had the induction center here because they demonstrated that, with enough popular support, a massive found the young men guilty of he knew that a lung condition overhaul of the lists could be made. violating the Selective Service would cause him to be rejected. The issue, became vital when the full import of the Green Act by refusing to be inducted He wanted to challenge the Se- Amendment to the OEO bill was realized. It says that the “State into the armed forces. Both have lective Service system head on. or local government subdivision has the power to become the filed appeals. Mulloy’s troubles with his draft community action agency”—handing control of what is left of the Mulloy, an organizer for SCEF board began last summer when he poverty programs over to the county political machines. and the Louisville Peace Council, helped small landowners in East- At the same time, another organization, the Mingo County opposes war in any form. He told ern Kentucky to stop stripping of Political Action League, was laying plans to run some candidates the jury that his draft board their land by coal companies. He of its own and to endorse others. Whatever the prospects for their failed to give him a fair hearing and four other persons were ar- success under normal circumstances, their chances were nil with on his claim that he is a con- rested for sedition but the the present inflated rolls. scientious objector. (See Peoples charges were later quashed. Forum, Page 6, for an account of As soon as the sedition charge Power Structure Reacts his trial.) was out of the way, the draft “At first they thought it was a joke, but they don’t think so Pratt is a former member of board ordered Mulloy to report now,” remarks James Washington. His life, has been threatened the ROTC. He refused to take for induction. He went through twice. the army physical examination at the process of induction but re- There have been four arrests, on ten warrants, for “ Maliciously or frivolously, and without probable cause, challenging the right of a person to vote.” The charge is punishable by $100 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Don Pratt The House of Delegates representative, T. I. Varney, now fre- fused to be sworn in. quents the courthouse with a gun. Robert A. Sedler, attorney for Meanwhile, after challenging 3000 names, the Fair Elections Mulloy and Pratt, began a major Committee charges that the county clerk, Tom Chafin, has not battle around the question of marked the challenged voter cards and sent the required regis- bail. He explained that Judge tered letter requesting the appearance of the challenged voter. Gordon not only set an appeal They charge him with simply removing the cards from the file bond of $2,000 but also required and replacing them after committee people have left the court- each man to post $10,000 bond to house. insure payment of his fine. The After the arrests, the committee decided it would have to go $10,000 would be taken to pay the outside Mingo County for help, and within a week the community fine if they lost their appeals. He raised $780 to send a busload of citizens to Washington. There asked that bail be cut to $3,000 they met with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice each. Department officials, who promised an investigation. They took The jailing of Pratt and Mulloy hours of testimony from committee leaders. resulted in daily picketing of the The people also talked with assistants of Edith Green, author Jefferson County Jail by Mulloy’s of the notorious amendment, and of Emmanuel Cellar, chairman of KAREN MULLOY led demonstrators in daily pickets outside Louisville wife, Karen, and members of the House Judiciary Committee. They met personally with Sen. jail after her husband was convicted for refusing the draft. Bond SCEF and the Louisville Peace Robert Byrd, Sen. Jennings Randolph and Rep. Jas. Kee. Rep. Kee was set at $12,000 (photo by Joe Hoban). Council. (Continued on Page 4) 4 THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT Why Bluefield State Students Rebelled By SUZANNE CROWELL were suspended without hearings. Demon- led his Negro supporters to under- (Staff Correspondent) strations continued all week. National stand that he would not reappoint BLUEFIELD, W. Va.— Ten students have obtained an order from the and state representatives of the NAACP Spangler, he reneged. People feel that came to the campus, and they later filed he did so because he needed the ma- U.S. District Court stopping Bluefield State College from suspending them. suit to have the students reinstated. chines’ support to pass a succession This is an outgrowth of a protest which began almost a year ago. Before Christmas, Huntingdon Judge amendment, so he could run again for A dispute over student rights developed into a fight over civil rights Sidney L. Christie issued a temporary Governor. The amendment failed, but and racial discrimination. The 1954 Supreme Court decision in the School restraining order and the ten returned Spangler was already on the Board. Segregation Cases, the historic role of Bluefield State in the black com- to class. Board members deferred to Spangler Before the case could come to court, when the Bluefield State crisis arose. munity, and West Virginia state politics— all are involved. the West Virginia State Human Rights The Governor obviously decided that sup- The protest started last summer when walked into the hearing room. Accuser Commission investigated the situation. port from the politically powerful Board Carolyn Bratten, a white student, wrote and judge were one and the same. The They held hearings on campus and took members was more important than from a letter criticizing college disciplinary the Commission or the black community. procedures and the lack of student rights. He has so far refused to embarrass the The protest swelled soon after school Board into action. The Commission re- began, when the college disciplined five port on Bluefield State is now in his black students for trying to cut a white hands and he refuses to release it. student’s hair during hazing. Ironically, the student, Alan Barker, considered it More Suspensions just a prank and did not ask for charges The administration suspended 250 stu- to be brought. dents for “academic reasons” at the be- The hair-cutting only came to light ginning of this semester; among them when the administration investigated”' were many who were later found to Barker’s loss of $25 at the same time— have been suspended “by mistake.” Many shortly before he suffered an epileptic were not told about their appeal rights seizure. in such a situation. The student-rights committee has Black Students Punished learned that the school’s accredited stand- The money was later found in his ing is on probation, but students were room, but the black students were never told by the administration that punished for the haircut without being their degrees were in danger. granted a hearing, or even notified of the In Charleston, students met with the charges. They felt they were singled out Governor and demanded that he re- because Barker is white. lease the Commission report at once. Barker sided with them, joined the He offered to publish four of the student-rights movement, and was later points—if the students would drop suspended after a homecoming demon- their suit. This they refused to do. stration. Meanwhile, black freshmen They marched on the capital and the who had been hazed walked around four points were finally released. bald, and their hazing was not Pressure mounted on the school ad- punished. ministration, and they appointed four The students demonstrated and invited students to a student-faculty committee, the administration to a meeting at the but the people named were not leaders in student union. At this meeting, college the protests. The governor suggested officials asked the students to draw up a BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE STUDENTS and NAACP members marched on the naming two more, but the school balked list of complaints and present them to West Virginia legislature during long struggle with the college administration and at appointing Alonzo Saunders, so the President Hardway. state politicians (Charleston Gazette photo). student body president (the Governor’s Among the grievances compiled by a other choice) resigned. seven-man committee were: no student other students refused to attend the down 1,000 pages of transcript which Stalemate representation on the student affairs kangaroo court. tended strongly to support the students. The situation has stalemated. The committee, no specific list of rules By now, their grievances included This evidence was offered in court, but (which resulted in vague charges), the steady undermining of Bluefield federal judge’s decision was expected in the judge said the Commission had no discriminatory hiring practices. The State as a black institution. It was March but it has not been made. The students appealed to Bluefield State originally set up to serve the black power to investigate educational facili- Board of Education has refused to make alumni for support. community of West Virginia, but since ties. any recommendations because the court case is still pending, although the logic On October 5, student council leaders the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision the The state attorney general had origi- behind this escapes most observers. and the new student rights committee number of white students and faculty nally said that the Board of Education In the next few weeks there will be a met quietly with the administration. The has increased steadily, year by year. fell within the Commission’s mandate, new student council election, and no college promised to consider their care- Militant black students are afraid the but his assistant objected to the Com- whites are running. Alonzo Saunders will fully prepared six-page statement. In- school will eventually be completely mission’s evidence. Technically, the as- probably be elected to the council. stead, five of the seven students present white. They charge President Hardway sistant attorney general represents both It is probable that no reforms will were suspended as soon as the meeting with discriminating against the black the Board of Education and the Human be made on the Bluefield campus, this ended. They were charged with giving students. Rights Commission. When it became ap- year at least. The college will continue inaccurate information, threatening dis- The next protest was a demonstration parent that the two bodies were at odds, to reduce the proportion of Negroes in order, being at unauthorized meetings, at half time during the homecoming foot- he defended the Board. rudeness, etc. ball game. This was planned with the the student body and on the faculty. Freedom of speech, of the press and of support of the opposing team. After the The Politics The Hearings demonstration, students gathered around assembly will continue to go unrecog- It was a highly political decision. One This time, hearings were to be held. Dr. Hardway in the stands. He claims nized. of the Board members, Spangler, is from Students brought lawyers, but the at- he saw students throwing rocks while Many of the students originally in- Mercer County, where Bluefield is located. torneys were only allowed to whisper to they were being dispersed by the police, volved have transferred to other schools, That county is in the southern part of their clients. Carolyn Bratten was tried but he cannot identify anyone. along with the faculty members who for the letter she had written months West Virginia, controlled by strong dared to speak out. Only a strong re- earlier. Another student, Alonzo Saund- Ten Suspended Democratic machines. sponse by the State Board could save ers, was told his verdict as soon as he The following Monday, 10 students Although Governor Hulett Smith had Bluefield, and that is not likely. Mingo Vote Frauds Brown Be fused Bail in Virginia (Continued from Page 3) (By Staff Correspondent) maining space; and black people J. Hirschkop, Brown’s attorneys, originally opposed the committee when they challenged a friend RICHMOND, Va.— State troop- were allowed to occupy the rest. asked the judge to stay his bond of his, but after meeting with the people he voiced support. ers and city policemen wearing Among them were Rap Brown’s revocation order of February 21 Sen. Byrd was not so yielding. A former kleagle of the KKK, plastic-visored helmets and bran- mother and sister. or to set new bail until the order now angling to be majority leader, he had little time for his dishing billy clubs ringed the Most of the black people were could be appealed to a higher constituents. When the meeting was finally held, after some federal court house here April 8. young and had come from Wash- court. misunderstanding (or hedging) his arrogance irritated the group. Persons entering Judge Merhige’s ington in a car caravan organized Kunstler argued that the right Some walked out. court room were searched by by SNCC. Many more were un- to bail is guaranteed by the The people were aware he had helped the county school federal marshals that day. The able to gain entrance to the eighth amendment to our consti- superintendent devise minimum desegregation plans that would occasion: a bail hearing in the crowded courtroom and waited tution, and that the government still be legal, but he said there was nothing he personally could do Rap Brown case. outside. has no right to make a special to help them with the vote situation. After three days of outbreaks When Brown was brought in, case of Rap Brown or any man Saturday, March 30, one accused member of the Free Elec- in city ghettoes following the as- his supporters stood to honor him. simply because he expresses out- tions Committee was tried at the Mingo County Court House. A sassination of Dr. Martin Luther Weakened from a seven-week spoken criticism of things as they rally of 1000 people was held to support her. King, the power structure was fast, which he finally ended that are. Challenging voter registrations and travelling to Washington to more than usually frightened. By day, Brown walked slowly, as if Another motion was for a see how their representatives respond—or fail to respond—to 8:30 a.m. six of ten spectators’ each step were a great effort. plenary hearing on a writ of their needs, has been the beginnings of political education for these benches had been filled by white But during the proceedings he habeas corpus. All three motions people and many more. If they are ever to win power, they must men in business suits, the major- was alert and smiled several were denied and were appealed to control the election machinery. The first step toward this has ity of them police agents. The times at his friends. the Fourth Circuit Court of been taken. press took up much of the re- William M. Kunstler and Philip Appeals at Baltimore. THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT 5 Memphis: Background for Murder ■!0, ,,'ai!ol a Mountaineer (Continued from Page 1) (By Staff Correspondent) the hospital authorities saw the Robert Fulcher is a poor white shape he was in, they assumed he man who lives in the West Vir- must be in trouble—so they called ginia mountains. Like many the police, who then arrested him. whites in his area, he used to His hearing was seriously im- want nothing to do with black paired by the beating and he is people or their movements, be- worried that his musical career cause he believed white people may be ended. were naturally better than Ne- Ernest Withers, a black photog- groes. rapher, was working late one But in the course of working evening in his Beale Street shop. with poverty programs in his When he tried to leave, along area, he met many black people with me and several photogra- and he came to respect them. He phers who work with him, we became consciously aware of the were stopped by Guardsmen and lies he had believed and had told police. others himself. He came to real- “What kind of joint is this?” ize that, in his poverty, he had a cop barked. a common cause with Negroes— “This is my place of business,” and that what helped to keep Withers replied. them both down was the racism After they refused to give us taught him in school, in his news- permission to leave, he called the paper, on his television set. chief of police to lodge a com- When Fulcher was invited to go plaint. The chief asked, “Why to a meeting of the Poor People’s should I help you, when you’re Campaign in Atlanta, he went, trying to burn the city down?” and came back believing that Withers looked at me and said, Martin Luther King had some- “I got three sons in the army, thing he wanted to be part of. one of them in Vietnam, and I He saw all the Hispanos, Puerto can’t even leave my shop to make Ricans, Indians and black people, my living.” and he had hopes that all these The “Memphis Formula” POLICE USED MACE and tear gas freely during Memphis outbreak. Here one cop charges on a black people could get together and Soon the power structure, photographer taking his picture (photo by Ernest Withers). start something for all of them. which had started by screaming When King was shot Fulcher “riot”, began to change its tune. felt the loss very personally. He The commander of the National Dr. King and the Militants believed King was killed for him. Guard went on television to claim And at a meeting of people from that his tactic of massive force Following are excerpts from interviews Bob Analavage had with black Memphis students his community, he delivered a had “averted a riot.” before Dr. King was assassinated. They spoke to him three days after the first march led by sermon in the Holiness style he City officials began to make Dr. King ended in violence. It is important to listen to what they have to say if one is to knew well—a sermon about the digs at other cities for not hav- understand their alienation from King , and their rejection of nonviolent direct action in sins of white people, and how he ing handled their outbreaks simi- was afraid for his race and larly, and local commentators Memphis. ashamed of it. predicted that the “Memphis for- wasn’t. The young people here black power.” Ashamed because it taught its mula” would ensure a calm sum- These students are members of have reached a political con- “If King thinks his views are children hate, and afraid because, mer. The city became even more the Black Organizing Project sciousness that those ministers the prevailing ones, he is in for a while it was so busy teaching determined not to respond to the (BOP), which has organized do not understand or control.” rude awakening.” hate, it never realized the dismal demands of the strikers, and the several cadres in the community shape its own people were in. protests of police brutality that and on campus along lines similar “They (the ministers) did not * * * Fulcher said the Appalachian now poured forth from the black to those called for by SNCC and bring us into any of the planning. The Rev. James L. Lawson, the people were well known for their community. the Black Panther Party, whom They shut us off from the rest local minister leading the Mem- religious outlook, and that they Then Dr. King returned, vow- they consider their allies. of the community. They even told phis campaign, denied that the had still failed miserably to live ing to lead another march. The ❖ * * the strikers not to have anything students were barred from any up to the Christian concept of city got an injunction to stop “The local black leaders do not to do with us. . . . Those students meetings. “I invited them to come brotnerhood and love. him. King said he would ignore see the maturity of the human that ‘rioted’—if you want to use to the planning sessions. They the injunction and he urged a rights struggle in this country. that term—were merely calling came and behaved like John On Sunday, April 7, he re- “nonviolent confrontation with They are conducting an old-time attention to their existence, say- Birchers. They refused to have ceived an invitation to sit in the the city.” It was central to his civil rights campaign and it can’t ing ‘we’re here and you’re going any agenda. They refused to dis- Ebenezer Baptist Church in At- philosophy that confrontation is meet the needs and problems of to have to deal with us’.” cuss any of the day-to-day prob- lanta for Dr. King’s funeral, be- necessary to expose a city’s sick- the black community.” “King can use the old people lems of a sustained struggle, like cause he was involved in the Poor ness. “You had violence on the and the ones that have been where do you get money, how do People’s Campaign. He was proud It was in this atmosphere, in march because King didn’t following the ministers since you feed people? to go. the “City of Good Abode”, that understand the situation here. ’54. But he can’t control the “All they were interested in This is not a fairy tale, or a a bullet crashed into his neck and He assumed the movement here young. We are quite capable of was having ideological discus- story of instant conversion. It is spine. was led by the ministers. It leading ourselves. As for non- sions. They spoke at some an illustration of what needs to violence—that died in Newark meetings and criticized the happen all over the country. and Detroit.” leaders and to me it seemed It is the job white people have Anti-KUAC Suit Filed “We have unity with King in they wanted to destroy the almost entirely neglected — of terms of attitude. We differ on unity in our community. If this combatting racism in white peo- (Continued from Page 1) munity Council of Louisville, and tactics. We are not yet together is revolutionary thought, I want ple by organizing them for change munism, but the record shows 14 more community, civil-rights, on how we can gain liberation in nothing to do with it.” in situations where racism will that they almost always investi- and academic leaders. this country.” Rev. Lawson does not blame be exposed for what it is—a way gate groups that are working Individuals who added their “King believes in black the students for the violence. “All of keeping the poor in their for civil rights, labor rights, and names are John W. Lewis, staff power, only he calls it Soul young people have to do is watch place. As long as the examples rights of other minority groups.” member of SSOC; Charles H. Force. But any time you call for television to learn all they want are so few that they are recited A week after passage of the Calloway, president of the Cali- a mass mobilization of black about violence. And there is the and commented on like the one resolution, the suit against KUAC fornia Community Council of people in a show of force like war in Vietnam, that can teach above, there will be small hope was filed by SCEF; Southern Louisville; R. B. Weber, Harvey King is doing, he is calling for anybody about violence.” for changing America. Student Organizing Committee Webster, and Frederic Hicks, pro- (SSOC); Students for a Demo- fessors at the University of Louis- cratic Society (SDS); Louisville ville; Dr. Roscoe Bryant Jr., and The Measure of Greatness Peace Council; Lexington Chap- the following officers and board ter of CORE, and SDS’s Louis- members of the West End Com- (Continued from Page 7) to take the position he did; he didn’t have to, ville affiliate, the Aunt Mollie munity Council: people that this would cost support for his organi- there was no glory in it, only criticism. But he Jackson Chapter. Eugene Robinson, chairman; zation, he is reported to have said: “I don’t care if did it—presumably because he felt a principle Individuals who sued are the Mrs. Prudence Moffett, vice- I never get another nickel. This is something I was at stake. Bradens; the Rev. A. D. King, chairman; the Rev. Charles B. have to do.” Later, in 1961, he did a similar thing in a larger a leader in the Southern Chris- Tachau, executive director; Mrs. I don’t know that these were his exact words, arena when he initiated a clemency petition for tian Leadership Conference and Mary Wohlleb, a secretary; Mrs. but I could believe them because I had seen Martin Carl as a protest against his jailing by the House brother of Dr. Martin L. King, Vernice Hunter, the Rev. William stand for an unpopular cause before. Soon after I Un-American Activities Committee. HUAC was Jr.; the Rev. Leo Lesser, Father H. Daniels, Mrs. Ruth Bryant, first met him in 1957, he came to Louisville to speak much more feared then than now, and there was James Gorman, Mrs. Lucretia and George Kimbrough, M.D. to a group and told them that they should act to no glory in this either—only criticism, which indeed Ward, and three professors at Attorneys filing the suit are correct the injustice that had been done when my did descend on him. the University of Kentucky, Law- Robert A. Sedler, Daniel T. Tay- husband Carl and I were charged with sedition The measure of greatness in a man, I think, is rence X. Tarpey, Abbie Marlatt, lor III, Neville M. Tucker, Wil- after we sold a house in a white neighborhood to a his capacity to take a stand for what he believes is and Gene L. Mason. liam M. Kunstler, Arthur Kinoy, black couple. right when no possible personal gain to him is They were soon joined by the Morton Stavis, George Logan, There was still an hysteria in Louisville then involved. Because of the circumstances of my own Black Unity League of Kentucky Dennis J. Roberts, and Harriet and many of our friends were afraid to speak to life, I was one who was privileged to see King in (BULK); the West End Com- Van Tassel. us, much less defend us. We had not asked King this role. 6 THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT

“Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate “If you want the happiness of agitation, are men who want the people, let them speak out rain without thunder and and tell what kind of happiness lightning. They want the ocean they want and what kind they don’t want!” without the roar of its many peo pl es waters.” THE FORUM ALBERT CAMUS FREDERICK DOUGLAS

Dr. King: Casualty of Vietnam COLLECTOR SEEKS Klansmen Convicted in New Orleans Dr. Martin Luther King is the loss of America’s noblest MOVEMENT Last week Albert D’Orlando, the minister of our First Unitarian dead—the result of another as- servant—a truly great world SOUVENIRS Church in New Orleans, had to go into Criminal District Court and sassin’s bullet. Do we need citizen, Dr. King. If the magni- WANTED—old political cam- give testimony regarding the attempt by six members of the United further proof that violence begets tude of this crime serves to alert Klans of America, New Orleans Chapter to blow up his house at paign buttons, badges, ribbons, violence, especially when official us as a people to the even greater midnight on March 14, 1965. violence at the very summit of crime we are committing against items, etc. Collector engaged As the trial, conducted by the District Attorney’s assistants, power has become national policy ? our own people who are living in in historical project wants all began in an old-fashioned courtroom, the indicted Klansmen were President Johnson stated March abject poverty and those we are such material—especially want seated in a row under the judge’s nose. The spectator’s section 29 that “We will not let violence murdering overseas, then Martin items of Eugene Debs, Tom was rife with FBI men and schoolchildren—an odd combination: or lawlessness take over this Luther King’s death will not have the teacher who planned the field trip didn’t realize just how Watson, Bob Lafollette, Henry country.” Yet, he is responsible been in vain. An end to war sordid a trial her pupils were going to watch. Wallace and other radical can- for more death and violence in abroad and achievement of justice Albert’s short period in the witness chair was marked by con- Vietnam than riots in the United at home is the only memorial didates and movements. Will vincing, low-key testimony, describing with dignity the dramatic States have caused in this cen- worthy of this hero of non- donate to the Southern Patriot events of that weekend three years ago. James Reeb had just tury. violence. for all items received. Send been assassinated in Alabama, a public memorial service was to Dr. King is a casualty of the H u g h B . H e s t e r items to: Dan Bessie, 7313 be held downtown, Albert had been asked to deliver a prayer for Johnson Administration War in his Unitarian colleague who had been martyred. Brigadier General, Zelzah Avenue, Reseda, Calif. Vietnam as surely as if he had U. S. Army (Rtd.) He was sitting up late in his study in his old home on Nelson 91335. been killed in Saigon or shot St. Petersburg, Fla. Avenue while his wife, Pauly, and her father sat up in a nearby down over Hanoi. Many more room. Suddenly an explosion shot up the wall outside his study of our bravest and noblest here window, and Albert, rising from his chair, saw huge flames from and abroad will become victims Kangaroo Court for Mulloy his house reflected in the windows of the house directly across of the insane violence spawned Friday, April 5, I attended the come within the scope allowed by the street. trial of Joseph Mulloy for re- law. in Washington, D.C., since Running out the front door, Albert managed to extinguish the fusing induction into the Armed The conviction and the sentence World War II, unless the global fire with a garden hose before it exploded a 250-gallon capacity oil Forces. The whole process can imposed on Joseph Mulloy be- grab for power initiated by tank which was right under his study. It was a very narrow escape! Harry Truman in 1945 is soon only be described as “kangaroo” . speak the hate and fear that the Anyone who knew the D’Orlandos during those tense weeks can abandoned. It was clearly shown by the establishment has of people who only feel a deep admiration for their courage and coolness; and Walter Lippman accurately de- testimony of the members of work for social justice and who Local Board No. 47 that none of are courageous enough to stand some of us knew, as the trial last week was going on, that Albert’s scribed the situation, I believe, car had been shot into during the early morning on March 17, 1968. when he wrote in Newsweek, them had any clear notion of firm for their beliefs. (To our continuing amazement, Albert—upon discovering the August 1, 1966, “This great coun- what the Universal Military It bespeaks the illness of our damaged car—drove calmly to the church, delivered an excellent try has problems of its own Training and Service Act or Se- society when a man is sentenced sermon on the newly-published Kerner Commission Report, and which it cannot, except at great lective Service regulations set to 5 years imprisonment and fined only after he returned home for lunch called the police, who were risk, simply tinker with any forth as a legal basis for con- $10,000 for refusing to kill brown at that time preparing to go to trial and prosecute the Klan mem- longer. The condition of our scientious objection. Yet, each people in Viet Nam, because he bers. So that his confrontation with the bombers in the court took cities . . . is explosive, not only board member was absolutely believes it wrong to kill. And, it on fresh meaning.) because of the black ghettos, but sure, in some cases without even is corrupt to use Selective Service these cities are becoming pro- reading his claim and file, that and mock justice to silence a At one point in the courtroom proceedings, Albert was asked to look into the faces of three Klansmen seated in front of him and gressively unlivable for everyone, Joseph M alloy’s claim did not worker for social justice and report whether or not he knew them, and I watched him as he black or white. They need great equality. If Judge Gordon believes that looked from one face to the next with complete aplomb. Looking at sums of money. Neither attention giving Joseph Mulloy the maxi- these somewhat seedy middle-aged men, I felt a mixture of fear nor money is available now that ECLC Will Defend mum sentence possible under the and contempt. the Administration has gone off George Edwards law will discourage others from The methodical statement of the State’s case outlined the whoring after false Gods in pur- standing on their beliefs and suit of World Power.” In The Southern Patriot of actions of these Klansmen on that spring night three years past— March you carry a letter from ideals or working for social jus- a number of Klan members gathered to counter-demonstrate at We cannot acquire respect for Mr. George S. Edwards calling tice in America, he is very badly Jim’s Restaurant and Bar on South Carrollton Avenue, where some people or human life at home for help in his draft case. You mistaken. black students were trying to desegregate the facilities. Upon while brutalizing and dehumaniz- will be glad to know that the Just as the bullet which struck arriving too late, as the students had left, they sat around drinking ing those of a different color here Emergency Civil Liberties down Dr. Martin Luther King beer for several hours and dreamed up various ways in which they and ten thousand miles across the Committee has taken his case will not stop, but will intensify, could counter-picket the James Reeb Memorial Service the next day. oceans. Johnson’s wars of ag- and a member of our National the Civil-Rights Movement, this Then they drove around for a while, trying to decide whose gression, such as in the Domini- Council, Sanford Katz, will harsh sentence merely makes the house to bomb, and after deciding on Albert’s house they pur- can Republic and Vietnam, have represent him in court. sickness, which is rampant in already destroyed us morally, chased some gas and made up two huge Molotov cocktails, fol- America, all the more apparent lowing the “usual procedure” of taping a half-cigarette which both art home and abroad. C l a r k F o r e m a n and underscores the dire need for contained a thick, corded fuse onto the side of a big pickle jar National Emergency Civil Only by ending the war in Viet- a change. filled with gasoline. nam and using the resources Liberties Committee A r t h u r C o r s e saved thereby to reduce poverty Upon lighting the fire bomb fuses and placing the bombs in New York, N.Y. Louisville, Ky. brown paper bags against the gas pipe under Albert’s study, they at home and rebuild, as far as is drove away hurriedly in their 1953 Pontiac. possible, the damage we have done to the Vietnamese people, These details were obtained from the second witness, a young can we regain our self-respect, or VISIT FROM THE FBI Klansman named William Elmer Cross, Jr., who had finally decided begin to reacquire the respect of to turn State’s evidence (along with two others, all three yet to be the rest of the world. When the younger, slightly familiar man at the door said, “Federal tried in their turn). Albert was shown for identification the frag- ments of the fire bomb, the box of safety fuses, the burned wood, By declining to seek the Bureau of Investigation” I had a distinct feeling of deja vu. My wife in turn; while the jury peered over his shoulder with obvious Presidency again, Johnson has offered them tea in her ordinary way; the young agent’s hand trepidation. created a favorable climate for shook as he handed me a slip of paper enunciating my rights and One of the macabre details of the conspiracy to commit aggra- a fundamental change in the options, and I suddenly saw the two men quite realistically. They vated arson is that Klan members had enjoyed a shrimp boil (a world situation. If he would were men. They were doing their job (their questions betrayed that follow this up promptly by sub- traditional and delectable Louisiania feast) at the home of Lloyd they had the answers already, that they were merely following orders mitting his resignation as Pres- Barnett in Algiers (a sub-section of the city something like South ident, peace abroad and tran- to let “the movement” know who was boss). Boston) to plan and demonstrate to inexperienced members the aforementioned “usual procedure” of preparing fire bombs. quility at home would, I believe, I have worked on cases, as a writer, that the F.B.I. was connected The outcome of the trial was not seriously in doubt, and just be greatly advanced. with and I have no illusions about Hoover or what he is capable of, before suppertime the lawyers adjourned and worked out a quick In common with all humane or that the two pleasant men opposite me would—if they were ordered people, I share in the sorrow for settlement with the judge—the Klansmen pleaded guilty and —come in the middle of the night like the S.S. were given five-year sentences. We talked about the Kennedy assassination, the war, the draft, So three are behind bars, but meanwhile the corrosive forces at Strike Reprint Dr. Spock. I reminded them that they, too, might have to say “no” work in our society in Louisiana continue unabated. Just last week The Radical Education Project I talked with a new faculty member at Tulane University who had to the government (in the case of a Right coalition). They left and has reprinted the article about come out for open housing and desegregated education, and I had the strike in Laurel, Miss., which I remembered, suddenly and more vividly than for a long time, what to suggest the “usual procedures” applied by our side: take the was in the January Patriot. It the Peace and Freedom movement was all about and why I felt joy telephone off the hook, buy big fire extinguishers, buy an alarm, has been given a cover, bound at the sure knowledge that I could, would go to the end (using the sleep away from the windows, turn on lights outside the house— into a folder, and entitled “ Black “weapons of the brave”) for the brothers and sisters in Asia, in the and sit at home wondering why the national and local authorities Workers Set Against White— can’t offer more forceful protection of our rights to freedom of ghetto, on the campus. Strike Broken.” Price is 5<£. Order action and speech. from Radical Education Project, D o n a l d F r e e d C o r i n n e F r e e m a n S m i t h Box 625, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48107. Beverly Hills, Ca. New Orleans, La. THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT 7 The Continuing Struggle Organizers9 Forum Deeds, not Words Instead of Gun-running By JACK MINNIS not be shown by words. It must (SCEF Research Director) show itself in deeds. Deeds, that This paper was drawn up in response to the suggestion, increasingly heard in the move- A letter arrived the other day is, of an appropriate kind. ment, that the only relevant thing white people can do at this point in U.S. history is to from a new Patriot reader. He’d Some 150,000 people, many of supply guns to the black militants in the ghettoes. read the story on the Laurel them white, attended King’s revolution, we must do what tees, etc. Explore legal attacks strike and offered support for funeral in Atlanta. It was nice It was circulated at the recent SCEF’s program. The letter to pay tribute to a man history SDS National Council meeting in blacks have told us for years: against new anti-riot laws, with closed with these words: “ I am will call great. But what happens Lexington, Ky., by representa- organize and revolutionize white hundreds of whites as plaintiffs. writing to you on the day of Rev. when those whites go home? tives of the Aunt Molly Jackson America. 2. Support white organizers in chapter of SDS in Louisville, Ky., Dr. Martin Luther King’s funeral. Will they feel that by attending white communities: publicize their National Community Union, Sou- Summer Programs in the I regard it as appropriate to the the funeral they’ve done all that work, invite speakers to campus, thern Student Organizing Com- White Community occasion because SCEF appears should be expected of them? Will etc. mittee and Southern Conference a. Start where the people are. to be putting his ‘dream/ into they go out and organize for 3. Educate in three ways: Educational Fund. It has been cut The self-interest of the white practice.” McCarthy, Kennedy or Hum- slightly because of space limita- suburbs is to not have a riot. a. About specific incidents, i.e. Unconsciously, perhaps, he had phrey? Or will they recognize tions. b. Move from self-interest to Memphis. shown the dimensions of what- their own responsibility for the understanding that oppression b. About white oppression—who ever differences of opinion exist incident which made the tribute Is genocide imminent? If it is, breeds rebellions—stop rebellions controls black universities, the among black people about what is necessary? it must be stopped, and we must by stopping oppression. ghetto economy, its political ma- to be done. (Such differences are* plan how to stop it. Will they recognize that every c. Develop specific support for chines, poverty programs. You probably largely manufactured major candidate in the presiden- We know that supplying arms are likely to find them coincident by the governing class; never- the victims of oppression. We tial race has been in a position to our black brothers to combat have listed many suggestions be- with those controlling our lives. theless I think there did exist for years to make significant con- genocide will not stop the geno- a basic difference in outlook low. c. About your city—what weap- tributions to end racism in the cide. More guns will only raise ons has it bought (can you sue between King, on the one hand, U.S.—and none has even scratched the ante, and make mercenaries What to do on Campus and the “black-power advocates”, for misappropriation of funds?) the surface? of blacks for the white left 1. Preserve the freedom for on the other.) etc. What the U.S. will be in the against the system. Equally true black people to organize through King, as I understand him, was 4. If a rebellion occurs while coming years depends upon what if white revolutionaries join the anti-repression activity. Circulate convinced that there must be you are in school, dramatize the those whites do now. combat, blacks will pay the price a petition in support of Rap black-white unity. I’m not certain things you have learned in (3) And the time for dreaming is in blood. The genocide will still Brown’s right to speak; fight the what he thought should, or through rallies, demonstrations, past. continue. If we are to make the Eastland and McClellan commit- would, be the purpose of such petitions. Go downtown and leaf- unity. But I suspect he regarded let or disrupt traffic to show your it as primarily a moral rather support, and strain,the city’s re- than a political or economic im- The Measure sources. perative. THE ROAD AHEAD of Greatness 5. Use intensive campus or- The “black-power advocates” By ANNE BRADEN ganizing techniques developed whom I know, and whose posi- I think Jack Minnis, in his column on this page, has raised precisely the right question around the war; teach-ins, dorm tions I think I understand, take about Dr. Martin Luther King's funeral: what will all those white people who went to At- discussions and canvassing with an entirely different approach. lanta to pay tribute to King do when they get back home about the conditions which caused petitions or ads in newspapers. Rather than begin with a moral 7. Be aware of national guard imperative and then “ dream” his murder? manoeuvers and participate in fil- about the reality it implies gomery in late 1955 until his last hours in Mem- ing suit for injunctions to prevent (children roaming hand in hand I also think Jack is right when he notes that, phis, he was always a mobilizer of people. manoeuvers in the ghetto (this through the Georgia hills), they although King believed until his death in the pos- No one should mistakenly think in hindsight has been done in Nashville). insist that history teaches that sibility of overcoming white racism and building that King presented the idea of nonviolent direct white racism cannot be changed. black-white unity, most black people in this country action in Montgomery because black people were In the Summer As a result of this, they think, don’t believe in such a possibility. being violent. Except for a few courageous 1. Redirect students to their black unity is needed to avert a And he is right when he says that, whether pioneers, people weren’t doing anything; they were own middle class communities. program of genocide. white people like it or not, the burden is on them crushed. Raise money for food and medical They might very well admit the to prove to black people that racism can be over- King didn’t organize the Montgomery movement supplies for emergencies. Perhaps theoretical necessity and possi- come. and never claimed to; in his book about it, he gave a national fund would be a tool bility of black-white unity behind I must disagree with Jack, however, in the full credit to the people who did:—Mrs. Rosa Parks through which to raise the issue a class-based political and eco- contradiction he constructs between the moral and E. D. Nixon. But King emerged with a dream, of racism. nomic program. However, they imperative to bring change and the political and a vision, and a contagious faith—and inspired 2. In line with (1) attempt to are hard-headed men who insist economic necessity to do so. Also the contradiction people with a sense of history and strength. And narrow the base of politicians that theories which are not he establishes between dreams and action. the South and the nation were shaken. intent on racism. Attack them. grounded in current social reality I simply do not see these distinctions. If the From then on, that was his genius—his ability 4. Emphasize that police bru- are luxuries their people cannot politics and economic system in this country (or to inspire people to go forth and do battle. A afford. tality is the fault of politicians in any country) do not serve the needs of the nonviolent battle, but always a battle. just as much as police, if not If they can be convinced that people, then they must move to change them, and The night he died, the television networks more so. The ruling class is white racism is not unchangeable, the decision to do so is by definition a moral act. played a sequence from a speech he had made in responsible for repression; the that programmatic genocide isn’t Those who make a serious effort to change a Memphis the night before—his last speech. There police are their agents, and not inevitable, it will only be by the society must make sacrifices and take risks and had just been a court injunction to stop a new independent of them. deeds of whites—never by their accept the possibility that they personally may not march in Memphis. In his familiar style—the 5. Visit police stations during arguments, or their morality. live to see the fruits of their effort. I don’t think repetition of some key phrase—King was thunder- rebellions to help minimize police Whites throughout the country great numbers of people will choose this course in ing: brutality by acting as observers. will bridle at the suggestion that any sustained way (they may do it spasmodically) “ Somewhere I read . . . about freedom of speech. 6. Push a campaign for con- it is the responsibility of white unless they are gripped by some dream and vision Somewhere I read about freedom of assembly. demnation of the U.S. in the U.N. people to convince blacks. They of the better society that they would build. Somewhere I read .... about freedom of associa- Find out about SNCC’s work will insist that the black power tion. We didn’t let no police dogs turn us around, there. folk are arrogant and unworthy. The dream, the vision, the moral force supply the motor power for economic and political change, we didn’t let no fire hoses turn us around . . . and 7. Seek out black civilian Such whites have deluded them- and I don’t think any lasting movement can be we’re not going to let no injunction turn us patrols and publicize their find- selves in the past by denying the built without it. around . . .” ings. evidence of their own life ex- Because Jack makes a contradiction that does The crowd (young and old) rose to its feet 8. Take a Rap Brown petition perience. Now they will have to not exist between politics and economics on the applauding and cheering—human beings, men and to work, or something. Use your deny the evidence and opinions of one hand and morality on the other, I think he errs women, infused with a new faith and strength, summer job to talk to people. Johnson’s riot commission. Many in assessing Martin Luther King’s role in the ready once again to go forth and do battle. 9. While doing draft work, ex- will succeed in this double de- movement and in history. The power structure needed Martin Luther plain what soldiers may be or- lusion. They will succeed because King as a “man of peace”—a man who would say dered to do in the ghetto, as they are unable to muster the In the first place, he imputes to King ideas that there is no evidence he held. Jack says he ap- to his followers “take it easy.” They need his image determination to see beyond the well as Vietnam. Resistance by parently saw black-white unity only as a moral and his memory that way in death. But I am con- prejudices society has ingrained whites on that issue should be in them. imperative, whereas others are thinking in terms vinced he never in his lifetime acquiesced in such publicized. of politics and economics. a role. The most tragic disservice we could do to And that’s precisely what the 10. Talk to national guardsmen both him and the movement is to let that image be black-power folk are predicting. But King repeatedly said, and most emphati- and GIs on the possibility of imposed on him in death. If whites succumb to the com- cally in the later years of his life, that what is ghetto duty. One defection would * * * * forts of their delusions, they will needed in this country is the building of political be a great victory. ensure a state of things about power by poor people and a redistribution of the I would like to add one personal word about * * * which they’ll be unable to delude nation’s wealth. Martin Luther King. The world knew King as a Remember that if the govern- themselves—and which they’ll find In his assessment, Jack—unintentionally to be leader of a popular cause—one that, although it ment is determined to commit uncomfortable indeed. sure—feeds the building of a false image of King brought him abuse and finally death, also brought genocide, no amount of arms we Matters have gone beyond that the power structure in this country is seeking him honor and glory. But he was also a man who could raise will stop it. The only morality or love or nonviolence. to impose on him. would take a stand for an unpopular cause and thing that would have stopped They’ve come to this point: If a In recent years, many people were rejecting risk his reputation to do it when he felt it was Nazi genocide would have been large proportion of U.S. whites King’s philosophy of nonviolent direct action, and right. the masses of German people. do not alter their innate racism, so frightened people in power tried to push him into He did this when he came out against the war We must reach masses of white they can only become what the a role of a controller and restrainer of the move- in Vietnam in early 1965—before any civil-rights people here, with concrete and “ good Germans” were—connivers ment and tried to paint him in that image. organization had done so. When told by some specific actions. And we should at genocide. And the change can- But King was never a restrainer. From Mont- (Continued on Page 5) have started yesterday. 8 THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT Knoxville Tragedy Students are Scapegoats in Unsolved Killing By MICHAEL FRIEDMAN weapon, and no efforts have been (Special Correspondent) made to investigate anyone who KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Four black youths have become is not connected with the black- the scapegoats for a murder that police are unable to solve. power group. Police have not Although not charged with the killing, three of them— even considered the possibility students at Knoxville College— will go on trial April 29 to that the killer was not a student. Police Captain Waggoner satisfy the public’s demand for some action. says: “The whole campus stands It all started on March 9, when the dormitories at the back of under indictment,” until the the body of a white cab driver the campus, where he ran into murderer is found. This has was found on the campus of the the group which had gathered been used to justify wholesale college. The dead man, A. J. there. His cab was chased. At intimidation and harassment of Boruff, had been shot with a some point he abandoned it and the students. They are con- .22-calibre pistol. Near the body began to run. stantly being asked what they was his cab, which had been Here the story becomes com- know about the four youths burned and battered with rocks. pletely unclear. All that is known already under arrest. The chain of incidents which for sure is that some shots were “ The only conclusion that can led up to his death had begun fired and a few hours later the be drawn,” one teacher said, “is early the previous evening, when body was found. Who fired the that the police are less interested police heard rumors that a dormi- shots? Where did the shots come in finding the murderer than in tory on the campus was to be from? Was there an exchange of ‘proving’ that the people whom blown up. They tried to halt a fire? None of these questions they suspect are guilty. Only the group of young men, one of them have been answered. facts have prevented them from carrying a paper bag, outside This was as far as the affair doing this.” the campus. The youths dropped went, save for the damage done Public sentiment has been the bag and fled. Police said the to Boruff’s cab. aroused by reports of “black- bag contained bottles of gasoline Police Deterred power” plots and agitation. stuffed with rags. Knoxville was saved from be- Administration Won’t Help At 1:45 a.m. city police went coming a bloodier Orangeburg onto the campus and arrested a The college administration has because the college president was student, Gary Keel. They done nothing to help the students. at the city jail when the cab claimed they had seen Keel in Dr. Owens has continually refused company relayed Boruff’s call for to allow the college to play an the group that fled. help to the police. Their immedi- Police also stopped a car with active role in raising money for ate response was a plan to invade Alabama license plates as it bonds or legal fees, and he has the campus and “save” Boruff. entered the college and arrested hindered those alumni, faculty Dr. Owens talked them out of the two people in it, a student and students who want to help— this, and probably saved some and a non-student. Later, police although he has not stopped them. lives. efforts to move the car were His main concern seems to be with fund raising for the college, temporarily stopped by the stu- In the following days a num- and with problems he will now dents’ hostility. ber of persons—students, ex- When it was learned that city students and non-students—were have in some parts of the white community. police had come on campus and arrested. Most were held without arrested students, there was an charges. All had connections with THREE KNOXVILLE COLLEGE STUDENTS enter courtroom for A college administrator told effort to call the students out of a campus group called the Student arraignment on charges of possessing explosives. From front to back: one of the jailed students that their dormitories and tell them Social Action Committee (SSAC), Hope “ Pete” Tigner, Joseph Scott, Gary Keel (News-Sentinel photo). the public would condemn the what had happened. As the group the focus of black-power mili- college for aiding “criminal was gathering, a delegation of tancy at the college. the youths, who have been in (430 to 76) to raise it for them. offenders.” The student wrote students went to the college presi- Four people are still in jail. jail since mid-March, even if And so the police immediately Dr. Owens to point out that, dent’s house to ask his aid. The three students—Gary Keel, they could raise the money. found a new charge (conspiring by its inaction, the college was Though not receptive to the Hope Tigner III, and Joseph Scott When Tigner was first picked to burn the gym) and raised joining in the unjust effort to students’ complaints, the presi- —are charged with possessing up, he was charged with posses- Tigner’s bond by $3,000, Keel’s declare the four guilty before dent, Dr. Robert L. Owens, agreed explosives and conspiring to arson sing explosives and bond was set and Scott’s by $1,500. The student they were tried. His plea was to go to the city jail and negoti- (police claim they planned to blow at $1,500. His parents arranged body has been unable to raise ignored by the president. ate. Meanwhile the crowds had up the gym). Tigner also faces for bail from an out-of-state com- the additional $6,000. The courts have already refused been growing. Bullhorns were charges of arson and felonious pany and he was released. A few Thus, it seems clear that their plea for freedom under a used to call the students out, and assault. Donald Wallace, a former days later, the police arrested authorities are determined to writ of habeas corpus. Unless two groups formed, one near the student at the college, is charged him on two new charges and sent keep them in jail—although there they can raise the bond, they will back of the campus and one near with possession of marijuana, him back to prison under $6,000 is no suggestion that they were probably be in jail until the trial the front. with bond set at $1,500. bond. responsible for Boruff’s death. begins on April 29. Send money While this was taking place, Knoxville bondsmen have re- Bail for Keel and Scott had The police have made little for bail and legal fees to: Boruff drove his cab onto the fused to post their bonds. And been set at $1,500 each, making effort to solve that case. There Curtis Johnson campus and was warned to there is reason to believe that a total of $9,000 for the three have been only half-hearted Knoxville College leave. He continued to drive to authorities would refuse to free students. The student body voted attempts to find the murder Knoxville, Tenn. Tulane Free Speech Movement Flickers (By Staff Correspondent) organized. Longenecker addressed them paternalisti- the appointed channels, forgetting that this was ex- NEW ORLEANS, La.—A brief but vocal cally: “ I’m glad to see you’re aroused about something actly what the students were doing when he over-ruled and letting off steam.” them. free speech movement sprang up at Tulane Uni- This only succeeded in making the students more Soon the emotion died down, and the majority of versity and brought the first real confrontation angry. SDS did research on the people who make up students resumed their sleepy existence. The pictures between the students and the administration. the board of administrators, and circulated it widely on were not published. But this was not the end of it. Out It all started innocently enough. The Hullaballo, campus. They discovered that President Longenecker of the ad hoc committee has grown a permanent student the student newspaper, wanted to publish two photo- is one of the U.S. government’s top advisers on chemi- organization called MORTS (Mobilization of Respon- graphs that had sexual themes. The board of publica- cal and biological warfare. sible Tulane Students) which promises to continue to tions, made up of students and faculty and designed to Cargill Attorney raise student-power issues. arbitrate any “questionable” student material, voted to Ashton Phelps, vice-president of the board of publish them. Students and Labor administrators and the attorney who described the Then John H. Stibbs, the dean of students, stepped in photos as “obscene” (ACLU lawyers opined they During the free speech movement, some workers and unilaterally decided the photos could not be pub- weren’t), also represents Cargill, Inc. Cargill owns the were striking across town, and SDS sent a representa- lished. Ultimately, he was backed by university presi- salt mine in Southern Louisiana where 21 miners were tive, Eric Gordon, to offer student help. It turned out dent Herbert E. Longenecker and the board of killed recently because the company refused to make that another of Tulane’s directors, C. F. Farrot, the administrators. safety improvements recommended several months ago head of a construction firm, was trying to smash their by the Bureau of Mines. strike. Gordon said that, upon hearing this, a strike Even Goldwaterites Outraged Nola Express, a New Orleans underground paper, spokesman said, “What can we do to help youV’ Enraged, students formed an ad hoc committee said of Cargill: “Anybody who is legal counsel for Unfortunately, both the strike and the student pro- which included moderate student senators, the student Cargill Inc. is clearly an expert on obscenity.” test ended before any student-worker alliance could be body president, and Tulane’s SDS. The issue was so The ad hoc committee then threw picket lines around formed, but even the hint of cooperation should not be basic that even the former head of Youth for Goldwater businesses, downtown and in the campus area, which underestimated. joined in the protest. are owned or partially owned by Tulane directors. Gordon summed up the student protest: “ On one They held mass meetings, which eventually swelled But Tulane is not Berkeley. Southern colleges are hand, it was a very small, bourgeois issue—“dirty pic- to 2,000 out of a total student body of 8,000. (One not even colonies—they are plantations, and there is tures”—compared to the struggles going on across the student pointed out that this was “a larger percentage no tradition of protracted struggle. country. But, on the other hand, it showed a lot of than the Berkeley free speech movement turned out.” ) President Longenecker addressed the student body people, students, where the power of the community Several marches on the president’s house were in placating terms. He urged them to protest through really lies.”